Makerfield By-Election 2026: Full candidate list, constituency areas and why it’s happening
Wigan Council has published the official list of candidates for the Makerfield by-election after nominations closed and papers were formally checked by election officials.
Andy Burnham and Reform UK challenger Robert Kenyon are set to be the main focus on Thursday 18 June.
Candidates are listed in approximate order of expected support based on party strength and local electoral performance.
Where is Makerfield?
Makerfield is a parliamentary constituency in Wigan borough. It is not a town. The name refers to the wider area covered by the seat, which is made up of 11 council wards.
Despite media focus on Ashton-in-Makerfield, the constituency stretches across a wider mix of towns, villages and suburbs in southern and western Wigan.
The 11 wards in the Makerfield constituency are:
- Abram
- Ashton-in-Makerfield South
- Bryn with Ashton-in-Makerfield North
- Golborne & Lowton West
- Hindley
- Hindley Green
- Ince
- Leigh West
- Orrell
- Winstanley
- Worsley Mesnes
Why is there a by-election?
The by-election was triggered after Labour MP Josh Simons resigned the seat earlier this month, creating a vacancy.
If Andy Burnham wins the seat he would move from his role as Mayor of Greater Manchester to become the constituency MP which would then trigger a mayoral by-election later this year.
